We tend to think that only unhealthy and ultra-processed foods, full of sugars, fats and additives of all kinds, cause food addictions. And, indeed, most of those responsible for this type of problem meet these characteristics. However, there are others that can generate addictive behaviors despite being considered the healthiest.
That is what is extracted from the list of 35 foods(1) which researchers from the University of Michigan and the New York Obesity Research Center have determined, based on the experience of trial participants, as the most addictive in the world.
This is the full list:
1. Pizza 2. Chocolate 3. Potato chips 4. Cookies 5. Ice cream 6. French fries 7. Cheeseburger 8. Soda 9. Cakes 10. Queso 11. Beicon 12. Fried chicken | 13. Industrial pastries 14. Buttered Popcorn 15. Breakfast cereals 16. Gominoles 17. Steak 18. Cupcakes 19. Nuts 20. Eggs 21. Chicken breast 22. Saltine crackers 23. Crakers 24. Agua | 25. Cereal bars 26. Strawberries 27. Corn 28. Salmon 29. Banana 30. Broccoli 31. Brown rice 32. Apple 33. Beans 34. Carrot 35. Cucumber |
The scientists responsible for the study have confirmed that especially fatty and sugary foods act by producing biochemical changes in the brain similar to those of drugs, generating an intense sensation of pleasure. And this is due to chemical substances such as glutamate or enkephalin, very present in sweets and ultra-processed products like the ones you can read on the list.
However, in it you can also see other foods recognized for being the healthiest (such as the nutsthe beans, broccolicarrot, cucumber or las apples). And, of course, although nothing in excess is good, “hooking” on one or the other can make a big difference!